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‘I want to hug an actual, living person’: How Meduza’s Russian readers are coping with wartime loneliness
Meduza • • world
Key Points:
- The war in Ukraine has caused widespread loneliness and social isolation in Russia, as people’s relationships have fractured due to differing views on the conflict and the oppressive political climate.
- Many individuals report shrinking social circles, self-censorship, and retreating into private life or internal emigration, with some relying on AI tools for conversation and psychological support amid fear of surveillance and repression.
- Antiwar sentiments are often suppressed or forced underground, especially outside major cities, where pro-war attitudes dominate public life and dissenters feel trapped and powerless.
- Despite the challenges, some Russians find small communities of like-minded people online or in private, engage in acts of kindness, or focus on personal goals and coping strategies to maintain hope and mental health.
- The testimonies reveal a deep exhaustion with the ongoing conflict, a loss of trust in the state and society, and a longing for a future where communication and cooperation transcend nationalistic and militaristic divides.
